LIFE SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -One unique characteristic of P is its low availability due to slow diffusion and high fixation in soils. All of this means that P can be a major limiting factor for plant growth.

Detailed explanation-2: -Growth of plants in terrestrial ecosystems is often limited by the availability of nitrogen (N) or phosphorous (P) Liebig’s law of the minimum states that the nutrient in least supply relative to the plant’s requirement will limit the plant’s growth.

Detailed explanation-3: -Phosphate salts that are released from rocks through weathering usually dissolve in soil water and will be absorbed by plants. Because the quantities of phosphorus in soil are generally small, it is often the limiting factor for plant growth. That is why humans often apply phosphate fertilizers on farmland.

Detailed explanation-4: -Because phosphorus is so easily fixed in the soil, plants can take up only a small amount of the phosphorus you apply.